Southern Proper Hospitality Group was awarded Restaurateur of the Year at the 14th annual 2022 Georgia Restaurant Association Crystal of Excellence (GRACE) Awards on Sept. 27 at Georgia Aquarium. Georgia Restaurant Association’s (GRA) annual event honors those who have made outstanding contributions to Georgia’s restaurant industry. Winners are chosen by the GRACE Academy, comprised of former GRACE finalists and honorees as well as current GRA board members. 

The peer-nominated GRACE Awards winners are presented with beautiful crystal works of art created by artist Hans Godo Fräbel. Southern Proper Hospitality Group won the esteemed honor of Restaurateur of the Year through several factors including recognition of service to its guests and the Georgia community. The group has grown to 17 locations throughout Georgia and the Southeast, providing an excellent customer experience and a healthy environment where employees can grow and serve in the hospitality industry. Co-founder and partners Chris Hadermann, Mike Evertsen and John “JP” Piemonte came together as individual entrepreneurs to create a successful partnership with Southern Proper Hospitality Group. “Southern Proper Hospitality Group’s company values, standards and culture are committed to creating one of the best-in-class workplaces,” says Hadermann. He attributes Southern Proper Hospitality Group’s success to its creative concepts and passionate staff dedicated to the hospitality industry.

Southern Proper Hospitality Group counts philanthropy as a large part of its values. In the past, the company supported the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society through its Man and Woman of the Year campaign and other organizations like Habitat for Humanity and News Story. Currently, partner restaurant Tin Lizzy’s offers an ongoing drink promotion with proceeds benefitting a different charity each quarter. Southern Proper Hospitality Group supports breast cancer awareness, and restaurants are actively involved in local neighborhood communities.